Bulgaria Recognises Macedonian Language

The End of Linguistic Controversy between Bulgaria and
Macedonia

AIM Sofia, 18 February, 1999

"On 22 February, Bulgaria and Macedonia will finally
put an end to their linguistic controversy", declared
Bulgarian prime minister Ivan Kostov. That is when, in the
course of the visit of new Macedonian prime minister Ljubce
Georgijevski, signing of a joint declaration on cooperation is
planned. The declaration will be signed in the official
languages of the two countries - in Macedonian, pursuant the
Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia, and in Bulgarian,
pursuant the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria. This
will finally end the long controversy on Macedonian language
which has been an obstacle for bilateral relations for almost
six years. As known, Bulgaria was the first country in the
world which recognised the new state Republic of Macedonia,
but not the Macedonian nation and language.

The news that the controversy will be solved was
announced on the day when 120th anniversary of Bulgarian
parliament was observed. In his statement on the occasion,
prime minister Ivan Kostov stressed: "This is today's European
news on the occasion of the anniversary of the national
assembly. We have accepted the formula to speak in the
language of united Europe - the language of friendship,
tolerance and mutual respect of interests. Bulgaria and
Macedonia will give their joint contribution to stability in
the region".

In the mentioned declaration, two parties declare that
they have no mutual territorial aspirations. Macedonia will
declare that nothing in its Constitution can be the foundation
for interference in internal affairs of Bulgaria in order to
protect rights of persons who are not its citizens.
Politicians believe that this means that Skopje will probably
give up on its claims that there is a Macedonian minority in
Bulgaria. This also means that ethnic Macedonian organization
OMO "Ilinden" which is illegitimate pursuant Bulgarian
legislature, will not be recognised.

The document will enable signing of about 20
commercial, economic and cultural agreements. According to
Bulgarian prime minister, this will stimulate mutual
investments, the road to commercial and economic development
will be opened, customs and border formalities will be
reduced, conditions will be created for broader cultural
exchange. "This long expected declaration is a unique document
and a natural continuation of a historical fact that Bulgaria
was the first to recognize independence of the Republic of
Macedonia", declared Ivan Kostov.

The formula according to which the linguistic
controversy will be solved is neither new nor surprising. The
idea about the declaration in official languages of the two
countries in accordance with their constitutions has existed
ever since the time of their socialist governments - it was
launched by the then foreign minister Georgi Pirinski. Some
time later the current head of Bulgarian diplomacy Nadezda
Mihajlova estimated this possibility for solving problems as
the most feasible one among 12 elaborated during all these
years. The only obstacle was the ruling Social Democratic
coalition in Skopje which has never manifested interest in
establishing good neighbourly relations with Sofia. On the
contrary, it did its best to aggravate them, presenting
Bulgaria as an enemy. During its rule in Skopje, it insisted
on full and unconditional recognition of Macedonian language
which was absolutely unacceptable for Sofia.

Bulgarian politicians waited with plenty of tact for
change of authorities in Macedonia in order to be sure that
they would not be manipulated by signing of such a
declaration. Talks about resolution of the controversy started
soon after establishment of the new Macedonian government by
VMRO-DPMNE and DA. Not a month had passed since the two
parties had talked on the level of deputy foreign ministers in
Skopje when Ivan Kostov made news public that an agreement was
reached with his colleague Ljubce Georgievski. On that same
day Bulgarian minister of trade Valentin Vasilev was
considering with his Macedonian colleague Nikola Gruevski the
possibility of the beginning of free trade between the two
countries as of the year 2000.

Nevertheless, has not Bulgaria capitulated in the
linguistic controversy with Macedonia? Politicians of all
colours in Sofia are seeking answer to this question. They are
unanimous in the assessment that it was high time that this
problem between Sofia and Skopje be solved and that at least
for the time being this seems to be the most realistic and
acceptable possibility. Reactions of the media, however, are
quite the opposite. The headlines are approximately the same:
"We have recognised Macedonian language".

Majority of deputies of the national assembly received
the news stated by Kostov with applause and exclamations
"Bravo". But the opposition was not so united in its
reactions: "This is indeed a major event since in the past few
years a great deal of our political energy was concentrated on
resolving this issue. Thank God, it is about to be resolved to
mutual satisfaction", declared president Petar Stojanov.

Leader of opposition Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP)
Georgi Prvanov was critical about the declaration: "This
reminded me how we recognised Macedonia in a hurry in 1992 led
by narrow party interests. This is by no means a victory, but
a difficult compromise the price of which still is not clear",
declared the leader of Socialists.

All the other politicians - from the ruling forces and
the opposition, leader of Bulgarian VMRO Krasimir Karakachanov
inclusive, greeted the declaration which according to them
offers a good foundation for development of bilateral
relations. Nevertheless, deputies of the opposition will
demand to be informed about the declaration to more detail.
Deputy of the party of Euro-Left Elena Poptodorova declared in
this connection that it was very important what Macedonia
would offer in answer to the compromise Bulgaria had agreed
to. As concerning deputies of BSP it was especially important
for them whether with this declaration Skopje would definitely
give up on its aspirations on existence of Macedonian minority
in Bulgaria. "The fact that we are signing a document in two
languages does not mean recognition. If it is signed it will
be a positive moment in relations between the two countries. I
doubt it, however, that the agreement will be signed because
internal political pressure will be exerted on Ljubce
Georgievski", declared Karakacanov. According to him, the old
communist forces which are working in favour of blocking
relations are still quite powerful. It is therefore, very
important what will be happening in the days until signing of
the declaration.